Babar Azam ends BBL stint to join Pakistan Team ahead of T20 World Cup

Babar Azam has cut short his Big Bash League stint with Sydney Sixers to rejoin the Pakistan national cricket team ahead of crucial upcoming assignments, marking a timely boost for the Men in Green.

The former Pakistan captain, who had been turning heads in Australia with 129 runs at an average of 32.25 across five innings, received clearance from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to prioritize international duties over his BBL commitments.

Signed as a pre-draft overseas pick by the Sixers earlier in the season, Babar's arrival had generated massive hype Down Under, with fans dubbing him the "king" in viral social media clips of his dressing room walk-in. However, his departure comes as no surprise, with PCB selectors eyeing his inclusion in the preliminary

20-member squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, submitted just before the ICC's January 7 deadline.

Azam links up with pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is also returning from a knee injury recovery, while notably, Mohammad Rizwan finds himself omitted from the preliminary group- a bold call by head coach Mike Hesson, who favors Usman Khan as wicketkeeper. Babar's recall follows a roller-coaster international phase, including a brief T20I axing before his October comeback, and a stellar ODI ton against Sri Lanka in November 2025 that equaled Saeed Anwar's Pakistan record of 20 centuries.

This move underscores Pakistan's reset under Hesson ahead of a packed calendar, including potential T20I series and Champions Trophy preparations. With Babar's top-order anchoring prowess-currently ranked among ICC elites-back in the fold, the team gains stability for the T20 World Cup starting February 7. His BBL form signals peak readiness, blending intent with his trademark class, as Pakistan aims to reclaim past glories in the shortest format.